November 7, 2009

By sheer fluke Adam Curtis’ documentary Century of Self was one of first things I came across after rejecting TV. In hindsight I couldn’t have found a more perfect introduction to how our world really operates.

If you think you are making informed choices and above manipulation think again.

Curtis shows us how Sigmund Freud’s theory on how human beings are driven by our basest of fears and desires has been used for almost a century by governments and corporations to manipulate us into acquiesce and control the masses.

Chilling and fascinating viewing.

Century of Self

Episode One: Happiness Machines

Episode Two: The engineering of consent

Episode Three: There’s a policeman inside all our heads: he must be destroyed

Episode Four: Eight people sipping wine in Kettering

I can’t recommend it highly enough as it’s essential background to most of what I post here.